Agency probes day care provider

As a 7-month-old boy remained in critical condition at University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri Health and Senior Services department officials said Tuesday they were not aware of any prior complaints against a Cole County woman accused of abusing the child.

Shelley A. Richter, 40, is charged with felony abuse of child, while she was baby-sitting him at her Taos home.

Kit Wagar, spokesman for the Health and Senior Services department, said they are investigating to see if Richter has been operating legally.

"The law says anybody can care for children as long as you have no more than four children unrelated to you in your care at any one time. If there is more than that, you're required to have a license."

Cole County authorities said they have had no other complaints about Richter, and are not looking into any other possible cases involving her.

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